Saturday, November 18, 2017

Pune: The Pune airport authorities have increased the fines for 15 different offences from Rs 300-500 to a stiff Rs 2,000-5,000. An official at the airport, who did not want to be named, told TOI that information boards regarding the fines have been put up all over the airport.
"People break simple civic rules, especially in the area in front of the terminal building. The boards mentioning the fines can act as a deterrent," he said. The penalty stands at Rs 5,000 for nine of the 15 offences. These offences include unauthorised entry into the terminal building or airside, driving or speeding in operational areas, being intoxicated within the airport premises, creating a nuisance in the public areas, organising or taking part in dharnas and rallies, among others.
Vehicles parked haphazardly or illegally in the area in front of the terminal building will attract a fine of Rs 3,000 as against the Rs 300-500 they are charged now. "These vehicles are mostly private cars which come to drop passengers to the airport.
We have repeatedly said that vehicles are forbidden from waiting in front of the terminal building for long," the official said. Earlier, vehicles waiting in this area for more than seven minutes had to pay Rs 85. "In the last airport advisory committee meeting, it was suggested that vehicle-owners pay Rs 30 for a half-an-hour wait and Rs 50 for an hour's wait. However, a long wait makes things chaotic in the area. Now, three exits have been created which should ease things out," the official said.